We asked some brilliant entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to reflect on lessons they’ve learned at prior jobs. We’ve shared highlights below.

Alex Robinson

Playing in the Minnesota Twins organization, I had the privilege of working with coaches and sharing the field with players from every corner of the world. Each culture has its own perception of how the game Read more>>

Dr. Kate Lyzenga-Dean

The most important lesson I learned when I worked as part of a multi-provider healthcare practice is that my unique style and perspective is a strength, not a weakness. It was tempting, as the most junior member of the practice, to imitate my colleagues instead of doing things my own way. Read more>>

Courtland Butler

As a classroom teacher, and tennis/basketball coach, I learned some valuable lessons. I learned that jobs that serve others are the absolute best jobs in the world, but they also can easily take up all of your time. A lot of my life this past year felt like I went to work and came home, and although it was awesome, I experienced a ton of fatigue and burnout, and building We Are Dream Chasers often went on the back burner. Read more>>

Yara Ali

As an Egyptian who now calls Florida home, my journey in the fitness industry began alongside my pursuit of higher education. I embarked on the path of becoming a Pilates and group exercise instructor, driven by the desire to establish a name for myself and build my own brand. Read more>>

Germano Couto

I have been a nurse since 1994. I started providing healthcare in a primary health care center where I learned that a smile and the touch of a hand sometimes do more than medicine and high technologies. When I visited patients at their homes, I felt that light entered their eyes and hope opened in their souls. Sometimes I was the only person they talked to them during all day. Read more>>

Shelby Monnette

I worked in a customer service department for a few years before I fully launched into my business. I learned time management, customer relations, setting expectations and good client communication at this job. Working in a customer service call center encouraged me to take notes and listen to the customers needs and anticipate their needs as well as problem solve! Read more>>

Erika Jenko

When I lived in New York, I paid my bills by being a porter for “Circle in the Square Theatre.” I had the opportunity to work at the theatre as their programming truly took off and they were putting up shows like “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” and “Fun Home.” It was a venue created to truly build art. To build something so completely different from what was going up on Broadway at the time. And I was the porter. Read more>>

Moe & Vanessa Hosseini

We both worked for advertising companies in San Antonio. We learned a lot about dealing with all types of customers from extremely dissatisfied ones to completely satisfied customers. I learned that when a customer is angry it’s at a specific issues and to never take it personal, Read more>>

Nikki Bybee

One important lesson learned in a prior job is that we really do have control over our futures. I began to grow past my own limitations as a person when I became more willing to fail. Failure is unpleasant, and yet it is often the impetus for creation. I love what I do, I love the the science of movement and how recent discoveries are shifting movement training. Read more>>

Christina Reid

Six years ago, I had a job at a print shop that I did not enjoy. The environment was very stressful and I struggled to see the purpose of that position in my life. Read more>>

Leonardo Cecchi

The first job I landed once I moved to the US was a low budget feature film. I did not know where this was going to air nor much about the project. I got on set and, to me and my naive perspective, the project seemed a little amateurish, because the cameras weren’t the fanciest, the lighting wasn’t the most elaborate and there weren’t that many people on set. Read more>>

Lyss Tan

Well, at my prior graphic design job, I learned quite a few valuable lessons. One of the most important things I learned was that it’s okay to ask for help when I can’t finish a task on my own. I used to think that asking for assistance was a sign of weakness, but I quickly realized that it actually leads to better outcomes and fosters a collaborative work environment. Read more>>

Anyssa Newcomb

One of the most important things I learned at a previous job was to value teamwork! Being apart of a team at my prior company really helped me appreciate having an extra set of hands to help. Doing every single aspect of the business from inventory, training, client relations, social media etc is a lot. Now being a business owner and not having an extra set of hands whenever I need it is difficult. Read more>>

Lavon Mckethan

From my past jobs I have learned marketing & metrics but most importantly it taught me the value of customer satisfaction. Read more>>

Aimara Rodriguez

Aimara Rodriguez is a first-generation Honduran-American business strategist and content creator based in Denver, Colorado. She has a diverse background working at the intersection of startups, tech, and products. Her expertise lies in operations management, partnership development, and product strategy. Read more>>

John Quirk

I got fired from my last corporate job in 2014, that really began my path to finding inner joy. Read more>>

Jasmine Anderson

Working in corporate my entire professional career has taught me that “business is business.” And although that statement seems simple and cliché, it’s very true… In all of my career, I’ve always had numerous side hustles. Firstly, as a Black woman I have to make up for the wage gap that bestows upon us. But secondly & most importantly because I am a business and business is business! The show must and will continue to go on. Read more>>

RUSSELL SATTERTHWAITE

when I was a commercial photographer I would often feel I under bid a job. Don’t be afraid to know your own worth. Read more>>

Frantrell Windom

The most important lesson I learned is that I did not want to work for anyone, but myself. Read more>>

Daisy Bawuah

Patience really is a virtue. Each stage in life comes with its own uncertainties and in a career-driven world, your attitude determines your destination Read more>>